Customer Reviews

Wagonmaster

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Note the key component of the the word Wagonmaster: "master." It implies someone who knows his/her craft better than anyone else. There are three masters present on this record, who contribute equally to its artistic creation.

On the surface, you have Porter Wagoner: a vertan of country music, both good and bad, who's seen just about all there is to see, and somehow lived to tell about it. He sings the songs, he writes most of the lyrics; they are haunting lyrics, deep and painful--even when they are upbeat, even on the gospel numbers, they are haunted by a sense of forboding. Make no mistake: this is not a happy album.

Behind the scenes, you have Marty Stuart, who picks on all the songs and produced the album. Stuart's production values have long been lauded (from personal experience, I can say he damn-near changed my life with his work on Billy Bob Thornton's debut record, PRIVATE RADIO), and here they earn every bit of praise they've been given. This is a traditional country record, with fiddle and steel on every track, with lyrics that are as honest as they are bitter. It is a cohesive effort that flows together like molasses...or Satan's river.

The culminative point on the album is the final, unlisted track: Stuart and Wagoner in the studio, discussing and singing Hank Williams. You don't think of it on your first listen; but when you get to that hidden track, you realize that this is, indeed, a Hank Williams record--hence the third master. The voice and poetry of Porter Wagoner, produced and played by the incomparable Marty Stuart, channeling the poetry of Hank Williams. If that doesn't equal a classic country record...then, damn it all, nothing does.

In this album, Porter Wagoner sings of moments of clarity in lives filled with desperation and struggle. Loves lost and lost lives fill this album that is sure to bring further resurgence to an illustrious career. Here, set against a beautiful background of classic country accompaniment , Porter Wagoner brings us back to the era of classic country with its ballads that bring sadness and consolation. The song "Albert Ervin" is an incredible accomplishment.

No need for a long review. If you like country music, you must buy this album. If you want to see if you would like country, you must buy this album.

Another star is set in the firmament.

I run Porter Wagoner's "Official" myspace page and was lucky enough to receive an advanced promo-copy of WAGONMASTER which is nothing short of amazing!!! The album features the track "Committed to Parkview" which was penned for Porter by The Late, Great Johnny Cash but as great as this song is the album has even better works written by Porter himself! 17 tracks in all ranging from Honky Tonk & Blue Grass to Macabre Ballads & Gospel Recitations. Porter does it all on this album! WAGONMASTER provides an eclectic mix of all Porter's Stylings in a way that no other album in his catalogue does! ...and to think that "The Thin Man From West Plains" will turn 80 this August while in the midst of celebrating his 50th (Yes, 50th!!!) year on The Grand Ole' Opry!!! Marty Stuart deserves great credit for allowing Porter to make the greatest album of his career! Buck Trent(Original Wagonmaster band member) even appears on electric banjo to help deliver that classic 60's honky tonk sound that Porter was & still is 2nd to none at doing!!! Ok, that's enough...
Just buy it!!! You'll be glad you did!!!!

The previous reviews say most of what I feel, but I want to mention that unlike many younger performers, Porter Wagoner performs these songs live and they are as good if not better than on CD. He did so, at the Grand Ole Opry, a few weeks ago, in celebration of his 50th Anniversary at the Opry."
I am a bluegrass fan, and we bluegrass fans can argue for days on end about what is and what is not bluegrass. Country music fans can do likewise. I think much of what passes for Country Music, is Southern pop or Country Rock, which is great, but not country. Anyway, if someone ask you what is Country Music in 2007, tell them to listen to this CD.

This album is amazing. I have become a fan of Porter's (and Buck Trent's) from watching his old TV shows on RFD-TV and have collected several of his LPs. Saw the Grand Old Opry tribute to Porter and after hearing several of the songs from this CD played I couldn't wait till it came out. I can't stop listening to it. Classic country at its finest. I cannot say enough good things about this album. Marty Stuart did an excellent job. I'm going to Nashville next week for the first time and have tickets to the Opry and I'm praying that I get lucky and that Porter makes an apperance while I'm there. Buy this, you will not be disappointed.

I've always been a fan of Porter Wagoner. My Dad was a big fan and had many of Porter's old albums. I grew up listening to these and developing a love for Porter's music.

As for this album, my friends this is REAL Country Music. If you hunger for what Country Music used to be, then this album is for you. Porter's singing is fantastic, especially considering the health problems that he's had the past year. The production of Marty Stuart is fantastic. The music is first class classic Country Music. I wish Marty would produce some other legends. He nails the arrangements. Great songs about real life sung with real emotion by Porter.

If you want real Country Music, then please buy this CD. You will not be sorry. Porter's "Wagonmanster" is the best CD I've heard this year. Mr. Porter Wagoner thank you for remaining true to Country Music and carrying the torch for 50 years! Carry on Wagonmanster!

A preface to the review: It wasn't until RFD became a channel on DirectTV that I became familiar with Porter Wagoner. Over the last couple of years, it has been on my Tivo list and, as a result, I have watched numerous, at least 100, episodes of Porter's shows (many twice) and, in the process, became a fan. I love his show. It's a wondeful escape into pure, delightful music. What comes across most is Porter's love of music and his desire to entertain. The man just loved music so much. I am so sad to hear of his passing. Thank you Porter for bringing a smile to my face everytime I watch you. My condolences to your loved ones and fans.

On to the album: When I say "Toby who?", I so dearly want contemporary-country fans to listen to this album because they will then have a rod by which to measure the quality of music delivered by today's popular country artists. They, then, may ask themselves this very question.


The album is simply stunning. Every track is expertly and lovingly produced by Marty Stuart and Stuart brings out the best qualities of Porter - his genuine love of lyrics and music. Porter sings country music because it flows naturally from him. There is no posturing, nothing contrived in his delivery. He sings country music because his soul is country music. His elemental sense of rhythm and melody; his simple, elegant phrasing of lyrics -- all of this is highlighted in this album. The smile on my face widens when he calls on "Buck and the Boys" for their instrumental interlude just as he used to in his show. The album is delightful, engaging and easily recommended to anyone who simply loves music.

I received this CD on Saturday after months of letting it sit in my Amazon shopping cart and am sorry I waited so long. It's one of the most heartfelt recordings I've ever heard, and we owe a debt of gratitude to Porter and Marty Stuart for making this one last recording. As I listened to it over and over this weekend, I was struck by how genuine and moving the music was, how heartfelt the lyrics, with tales of regret and lost love and alcoholism and mental illness, underpinned by a generous outlook. It's the work of a man reflecting on his life and on the lives of those close to him, an intimate glimpse into the soul of a man who remained vibrant and productive until the end. So it was with sadness that I read of Porter's passing this morning, but glad that he took the time to send us this one last love letter. And thank you too, Marty, for what just might be the best of your many great projects.

It was sad to hear tonight about the passing away of Porter Wagoner, one of the last great hillbilly singers of the 1950s and a hero of the Grand Ole Opry, and the fella who made Norma Jean and Dolly Parton stars... In his career, Wagoner delved into heartfelt ballads and pure novelty-song corn, he sang achingly beautiful duets with Dolly and romped and stomped when he felt in a honkytonk mood. Equally adept at gospel and secular material, Wagoner sang every song with feeling, even the goofball tunes, and he made country music that will always stand the test of time. This album was his last, and it's a gem. Marty Stuart and his band provide solid backing for a classic set of Porter Wagoner gold, and Porter was in fine form. He passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2007, after entering a hospice in Nashville, with terminal, end-stage lung cancer. He'll be missed, but his records, this one included, will be cherished for years to come. (DJ Joe Sixpack)

This CD plumbs the depths of human emotion like the deepest blues of Son House. Porter Wagoner's singing on this CD is so authentic that it's frightening. He's truly looking into the abyss of shame, mental illness, and death. If you're a Porter Wagoner fan this is a CD to be treasured. If you're a casual country music fan this CD will make you aware of what real country music is capable of conveying.